Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i has issued a message of unity after meeting former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka amid disagreements over the direction of the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a post shared on his X account on Sunday, November 8, 2026, Matiang’i published a photo of himself alongside Gachagua and Kalonzo during the meeting.
“Brothers will always put Kenya first,” Matiang’i wrote.
The meeting came days after Matiang’i and Gachagua exchanged criticism over political negotiations, leadership and the proposed structure of an opposition coalition seeking to challenge President William Ruto in the next General Election.
The engagement brought together three opposition leaders who have been discussing how different political formations can work together ahead of the 2027 elections.
What Triggered the Fallout Between Matiang’i and Gachagua
The disagreement emerged after Gachagua proposed a political arrangement bringing together his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), Kalonzo’s Wiper Patriotic Front and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement.
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Speaking during an interview on Inooro TV, Gachagua argued that the three political formations had sufficient support to form the next government.
He also outlined the estimated voting strength of the three political camps, claiming that his formation could mobilise 10 million votes, Kalonzo four million and Sifuna three million.
The proposal attracted criticism from several opposition leaders, including Matiang’i and Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi, who questioned the exclusion of other political figures from the proposed arrangement.
Matiang’i subsequently criticised Gachagua’s approach during an interview with NTV on Sunday, November 1.
He warned that treating political communities as voting blocs and allowing a few leaders to determine the direction of the opposition could undermine efforts to establish a united political front.
“That majoritarian arrogance and that particular pride is precisely what is going to split the opposition and make it very difficult for the opposition to come together,” Matiang’i said.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary maintained that Kenya’s leadership should be determined through competition based on ideas, qualifications, competence and track records rather than ethnic considerations.
“No Kenyan left behind. We must have everyone on board,” he added.
He also maintained that opposition leaders should agree on a presidential candidate through an inclusive process that allows all participating political formations to have a voice.
Matiang’i’s Plans for a United Opposition
Matiang’i has been pushing for a broad-based opposition coalition through Jubilee Party, which has established a negotiating committee to engage other political formations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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The committee, chaired by former Senate Deputy Speaker Kembi Gitura, includes Jubilee Secretary General Moitalel Ole Kenta and Janet Ong’era. It is mandated to negotiate with other parties and review the proposed Ukombozi Alliance agreement.
Matiang’i wants participating parties to retain their identities while working under a common political programme. The proposed arrangement would also provide a framework for agreeing on one presidential candidate, a running mate and other government positions.
He has maintained that the opposition should select its presidential candidate through an inclusive process based on leadership ability, qualifications and track record rather than ethnic voting blocs.
On September 28, Gatanga MP Edward Muriu announced that Gachagua, Kalonzo, Sifuna and Matiang’i had tasked him with preparing a draft coalition working formula to guide their cooperation.
On November 5, Matiang’i assured supporters in Limuru, Kiambu County, that opposition leaders would eventually unite.
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